As global conflicts reach their highest levels since 1945, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres addressed the General Assembly on Wednesday, August 26th, 2026, emphasizing the need for the UN and its Member States to adapt peace operations to remain relevant and effective. He highlighted that peace operations are increasingly deployed to contain violence rather than implement peace agreements, underscoring the evolving challenges faced by these missions.

At UN Headquarters in New York, Guterres presented the first-ever comprehensive review of all forms of UN peace operations, ranging from small political missions to large multidimensional peacekeeping efforts authorized by the Security Council. The review was conducted at the request of the Pact for the Future and includes recommendations on how to adapt the UN's peacekeeping toolbox to meet future challenges.

Since 1948, the UN has deployed 167 peace operations, with about 40 active as of 2024, according to the UN’s Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs. Despite their critical role in maintaining international peace and security, these missions face increasing complexity, fewer comprehensive peace agreements, and significant funding cuts—nearly half a billion dollars slashed from peacekeeping budgets and $96.3 million from special political missions.

Guterres stressed that mission mandates must be narrowly focused with achievable objectives, adaptable, cost-efficient, and accountable, particularly regarding claims of sexual exploitation and abuse. He also called for greater cooperation between Member States and UN offices to enhance mission effectiveness.

The work of UN peacekeepers is perilous; more than 4,500 have died in missions worldwide. Their efforts have been internationally recognized, including collectively receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in 1988 for "preventing armed clashes and creating conditions for negotiations."

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